Had a busy first session! Was such a blessing to work with the people and relieve some of their aches and pains! Now the house is cleaned and put back together for the next guests--whenever it is that they will arrive. So far they have nothing else lined up-- I might just be sitting here waiting for August to come. But no fears, they won't let me get bored. With lots of gardening, weeding, lawn mowing and other activities, I'll not have a chance to sit idle!! Corrie and family have all went to the Baltic Sea for a fun get away. They will camp by the sea and return tomorrow late night. I was asked to stay at the center. Not much going on, so have gotten some work in the garden done, mowing and final touches on the house completed!! Maybe will have some time for emails and walks or bike rides that I normally don't take time for!! And hope to walk into town and visit a friend at the library tomorrow!! Life is good! What a blessing to be able to travel all over, experience different cultures and get to know some of God's children from different parts of the world! I am truly blessed. May you all walk closely by His side today.

 Cardinal

Cardinal and friend sharing a meal at the feeder!

 Yes, I know this one isn't a bird, but he is pretty cute just the same!!

 My beautiful Montana! How I miss it!!

I am loving the beautiful birds and flowers here in Michigan! The birds are so different from the ones in Montana, they are fun to watch! Just wanted to share a few pictures I've taken over the last few weeks, hope you enjoy them!

Bear not a single care thyself,

One is too much for thee,

The work is Mine, and Mine alone,

Thy work~to rest in Me.

If we ever forget what our work is...

Just remember this.

Ever notice that when we are anticipating something being terrible, fearful or very painful, when it actually happens, it is not nearly as bad as we had thought it would be in our mind? I remember when I was young, I thought if I ever broke a bone, I would probably die of the pain, or at the very least, go insane because it hurt so much. When I did finally break a bone, yes, it was not comfortable, but I never thought I was on the verge of dying. Anticipating the event was worse then the event itself. That must be why we are told not to worry about tomorrow. We waste so much time and energy worrying about what is to come that we miss the blessings in today. Let us strive to trust God in ALL things and not let worry rob us of the joy we could be having now.

God provides for our every need and then gives us a bonus sometimes too. Like this beautiful lake that I walk by every morning during my exercise time. He has made such beautiful nature for us to enjoy! Let's strive to remember Psalm 25:2 this week: "O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me." So that Satan can not rejoice in knowing he caused us to worry about something in the future, but that we put our total trust in God!

 Any guesses to what these are? I think I still need a bit of practice!!

I arrived in Michigan on Tuesday morning. I left Montana Sunday morning, I think it was a record drive. It was for me at least!! As soon as I arrived in Berrien Springs, I was put to work cleaning condos...That finished, was able to set up a schedule for treatments. Today was the big day...We began the treatments which include many teas and juicing throughout the day. My poor patient has been a real trooper, did much of her own juicing until this afternoon, then was not feeling so hot, so I took over for her.
They had friends over tonight, so I escaped upstairs for a while. Did a bit of drawing and reading!!
Earlier in the week I was able to rent a carpet cleaner and get my little truck cleaned up. I put it on craigslist today, so will be praying it sells soon!!
I am really enjoying watching all the east coast birds that I am not used to,  frequent the feeder. They are so beautiful.

I just wanted to post a few pictures of my time in Papua New Guinea and Australia this past October-April 2012. I will post another blog soon on recent events in my life, but for now, let's go into the past just a bit!

 We had wonderful fresh fruit to eat in abundance!!

                           Typical homes we would see along the river on the way to Kotale village

 This was the "good well" that the villagers drank from. They really need a hand pump so they can have good, safe water to drink.

 Church. Men sit on one side, women on the other

 one of my new friends

 They have beautiful children

 They have many gorgeous birds in New Guinea, this one visited during church

 Esta took me under her wing and taught me many things

 I was adopted into 2 different clans. This is a paddle with one of my clan symbols on it. My name for this clan was "Ibowato". It means 'strong wind' for a 'strong woman' according to Esta!

 Australia also has some of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen. God is so creative in His creations!

 Man-O-War jelly fish. Aussies call it a blue bottle, so didn't know what it was for a while

 Kanga and Roo!

  A cute Wombat!!

 Ocean

 Gang Gang Bird, a rare sighting in Australia!

 "Please don't catch me"

 A beautiful view of the Bombala river from "Wirrahwonaby"!!

 Some very special people  I met in New Guinea and was able to meet up with in Australia as well

 The very special Australian family I stayed with and became quite attached to during my stay there

 "Marco"

Touring Sydney with "my" family before heading home

The memories  I made in PNG and Australia are not some that will quickly fade. I met some of the most honest, sincere people I have ever met, on the other side of the world. The direction my life was heading has been changed by the people and experiences I had in the bush of Papua New Guinea and the love, support and excitement for my new calling by my Aussie family has encouraged me as I strive to follow God's leading in my life.

I believe God puts people in our life for a reason, at just the time that we need them. Throughout my life, I have been blessed with the most wonderful friends anyone could ever ask for, this time has been no exception. Whether we stay in each others' life is up to us, but God brought us together for a purpose. I pray that we will choose to stay in each other's life and bless one another as we continue to work together around the globe,  to hasten Jesus's soon return.

Why am I privileged?

"If we ever enter the kingdom of God, we must enter with perfect characters, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." "If we will rise to the emergency, and arm ourselves like men who wait for their Lord; if we will work to overcome every defect in our characters, God will give us increased light and strength and help." I just returned to the USA this week from being overseas for nearly 6 months. It was a good experience. I learned a lot about myself. How I need to continue working on my Christian character. How I need to perfect so many areas in my life.  Living alone, it is easy to become selfish, to not see areas in my life that need worked on. Being thrown into a situation where I had to live with others was good. I saw in me things I didn't see just living on my own. Things that need to change. God is so good to put people in our life who love us and care about us, even if we are not perfect. I have been blessed with the highest quality friends throughout my life, who are there to help me learn and grow at just the right times. This time has been no exception. My time away has also made me think how I am so blessed to live where I do, HOW I do. Why was I born into such favorable circumstances? Why are there so many hurting people? Hurting children? WHAT does God want me to do? I had made up my mind, I would come home, get a good paying job for the summer and be able to go  as a missionary by this fall. I had it all worked out, and I thought it was possible, it could work....then my friend called. She was asking me to give up a a large part of my summer to volunteer at her health clinics. "I really need you. The people connect with you and you help their physical problems." It was a mission opportunity, and I don't want to turn down an opportunity to help people...so I said yes. That still gave me 2 months to make enough money to go on my September mission trip, if I could sell my pickup to pay off a small debt. It could still work, I thought. THEN I received another phone call from a friend. "I'm having surgery in Michigan, my husband is going to be too busy to properly care for me, would you consider coming back and being my caregiver after my surgery?"  GULP. "I'll pray about it" I said. Before the night was up, I knew I had to say "yes". I emailed her saying I would come help her. I'm leaving my plans in God's hands. Maybe He doesn't want me to go to Thailand, or maybe....I know intellectually He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. My heart is having a hard time, but I know this is an excellent opportunity to put my complete trust in God. He can, He WILL, work it out to His honor and glory....and in the end, I will have learned to trust in my loving Savior just a little bit more, no matter how it turns out. No matter if MY dream to go back overseas comes true, or He has something better in store for me. Learning to lay down MY plans for HIS plans is something I am striving towards.  In the mean time, I recently read this quote "Let us neglect no opportunity that, if improved, will make us more useful in God’s service". Soooooooo, I will take every opportunity to make myself more useful for the mission fields. When He calls, I will be ready. "All heaven rejoices when weak, faulty human beings give themselves to Jesus, to live His life." I read this, this morning in my quiet time, and found it comforting. Heaven is rejoicing. I have given my life to Jesus, now He can send me where I will be the biggest blessing to those I go to serve. How exciting to follow Jesus. To bring comfort, help and cheer to those who have lost SO much. To those who haven't known the comforts I have been so accustomed to the last 4 decades. What a privilege to work for Jesus, in showing others HIS goodness and love. I would like to challenge you. WHAT are you doing to hasten our Saviors soon return? Let's join in this battle together, and soon we can go home where there is no more sorrow or suffering. Where we all enjoy equal benefits.